köztársaság

Köztársaság is a form of government in which the supreme political power is held by the people and their elected representatives rather than a monarch. The term derives from Latin res publica, literally meaning “the public thing.” In Hungarian political science, köztársaság denotes states whose head of state is not a monarch and where governmental authority is limited by a constitution and the rule of law.

Typical features of a köztársaság include a constitutional framework, separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches, regular universal elections, accountability of government, and usually a multi-party system. Variants of the republic form range from parliamentary republics, where the prime minister or equivalent is the head of government, to presidential republics, where the president has a stronger executive role, and to semi-presidential systems combining elements of both.

In Hungary, the official designation is Magyar Köztársaság (Hungarian Republic). The modern state underwent significant changes in the 20th century, including a regency from 1920 to 1944 and a socialist republik from 1949 to 1989, before transitioning to a democratic köztársaság in 1989–1990 and adopting a new constitutional framework in subsequent years.

Globally, köztársaság is a common form of government, found in diverse regions and cultures. It is often contrasted with monarchies, where sovereignty is associated with a royal forename, though realities vary with constitutional arrangements and state practices.